Wilton Boat Club-Wilton, Mo

Missouri River Facts

Missouri River - longest river of the U.S., flowing c.2,565 mi (4,130 km) from its source in the Rocky Mts. to join the MISSISSIPPI R. 17 mi (27 km) N of St. Louis, Mo., forming the world's third longest (c.3,740 mi/6,020 km) river system.

Its principal headwaters are the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers, which unite to form the main stream at Three Forks, Mont.

The river is navigable for 760 mi (1,223 km) to Sioux City, Iowa, by barges and towboats. Above Sioux City, its fluctuating flow is regulated by seven major dams-Gavins Point, Fort Randall, Big Bend, Oahe, Garrison, Fort Peck, and Canyon Ferry-that are part of the coordinated Missouri River Basin Project authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1944.

During the rainy summer of 1993 the lower Missouri reached record levels, flooding many areas. http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/08571.html

 "Watershed - the land area that water moves across or under while flowing to a stream, spring, pond, lake or river".